as in heavyweight
one of high position or importance within a group
thinks he's a big cheese just because he's got a business card
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Recent Examples of big cheese
But a big cheese board affords the chance for people to try something new.
—
Betty Hallock, Los Angeles Times, 30 Dec. 2024
Simply Cheetos White Cheddar Puffs These light-colored curls have big cheese flavor, a satisfying crunch and a tart kick that is dangerously delicious.
—Jolene Thym, The Mercury News, 4 June 2024
So for decades only accredited scholars, the occasional journalist and big cheeses got to see inside.
—Jason Horowitz, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2023
Following a voting process, this international cut of designers aged under 40 will be whittled down to a final few before the winners are selected by a panel of the conglomerate’s key designers and c-suite big cheeses some time in the summer.
—Luke Leitch, Vogue, 2 Mar. 2023
All is fair in love and big cheese.
—Ali Francis, Bon Appétit, 2 Feb. 2023
Bob Iger is back as the House of Mouse’s big cheese.
—Jacob Carpenter, Fortune, 21 Nov. 2022
Una Pizza Napoletana is truly the big cheese: Anthony Mangieri’s Lower East Side pizza joint was just named the best pizzeria in the United States by the 50 Top Pizza organization.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 16 June 2022
Betty Hallock, Los Angeles Times, 30 Dec. 2024
Simply Cheetos White Cheddar Puffs These light-colored curls have big cheese flavor, a satisfying crunch and a tart kick that is dangerously delicious.
—Jolene Thym, The Mercury News, 4 June 2024
So for decades only accredited scholars, the occasional journalist and big cheeses got to see inside.
—Jason Horowitz, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2023
Following a voting process, this international cut of designers aged under 40 will be whittled down to a final few before the winners are selected by a panel of the conglomerate’s key designers and c-suite big cheeses some time in the summer.
—Luke Leitch, Vogue, 2 Mar. 2023
All is fair in love and big cheese.
—Ali Francis, Bon Appétit, 2 Feb. 2023
Bob Iger is back as the House of Mouse’s big cheese.
—Jacob Carpenter, Fortune, 21 Nov. 2022
Una Pizza Napoletana is truly the big cheese: Anthony Mangieri’s Lower East Side pizza joint was just named the best pizzeria in the United States by the 50 Top Pizza organization.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 16 June 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for big cheese
Noun
-
Brighton & Hove Albion need big performances from their best players to continue an outstanding record against some of the Premier League heavyweights.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Those fears contrasted with strong results earlier in the week from Wall Street heavyweights like JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Citigroup, and Bank of America.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The shift to bonds may indicate investors are rebalancing to keep their asset allocations from getting too stock-heavy, Austin said.—
Greg Iacurci,
CNBC,
13 Oct. 2025
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One heavy gets punched so hard that his glass eye pops out and rolls into a mousehole.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Not only did San Diego State graduate its three regular bigs – Kim Villalobos, Adryana Quezada and Cali Clark – from the Mountain West Tournament champions, point guard and leading scorer Veronica Sheffey transferred through the portal to TCU.—
Bill Center,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Oct. 2025
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All five players will need to be involved, and that is where the bigs enter the conversation.—
Eric Nehm,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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For October camp and friendlies, Pochettino called in more big guns — a squad that looks a lot closer to what the World Cup roster will look like than in the September camp.—
Braidon Nourse,
Denver Post,
14 Oct. 2025
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Some big guns were still here, but the results often underdelivered.—
Alan Light,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Suck on some of these, big boy.—
William Earl,
Variety,
12 Oct. 2025
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This big boy showed up to the Brooks River in July and hasn’t left.—
Jessica Campbell-Salley,
Outside,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Still, expect short overhangs and big wheels, even if not quite the size of these absurdly chrome 24-inchers.—
Michael Teo Van Runkle,
ArsTechnica,
13 Aug. 2025
-
The Lyriq’s long nose and roof create a sporty profile that’s emphasized by big wheel openings with subtle fender flares and a steeply raked rear window.—
Mark Phelan,
USA Today,
11 Aug. 2025
Noun
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After going hitless in his first two at-bats, Bob Seymour reached base for the first time as a big leaguer by drawing a walk.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
16 Aug. 2025
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Now in his seventh year as a big leaguer, Yastrzemski was traded minutes before Thursday’s trade deadline in exchange for minor league right-hander Yunior Marte.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
5 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Despite their stature, Brewers stand tall against competition The average major leaguer is just north of six-feet tall, but outside Christian Yelich (6-3), the Brewers have no one who exceeds that standard.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
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Despite his youth, Harrison is now in his third season as a major leaguer, having made 40 MLB appearances since debuting with the San Francisco Giants in 2023.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Big cheese.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/big%20cheese. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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